Phosphoric acid: reduces the bodies ability to absorb and use calcium. This leads to osteoporosis and improper muscle function. Fatigue and exhausted muscles cause aches and pains that are constant and unexplainable.  Too much can cause sleeplessness and possibly the elusive restless leg syndrome.

Next is sugar: in the form of high fructose corn syrup, sugar, fructose, sucralose or any sugar ending with the letters “ose”. Any processed sugar can cause increased levels of insulin in the blood stream. It can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, weight gain, premature aging, headaches, sleeplessness, the list goes on for what seems like ever. High fructose corn syrup(even though corn farmers want us to believe it is natural and healthy) is processed in the liver not the blood stream where it can be made into insulin. When the liver can’t process the fructose quick enough it immediately turns it into triglycerides which are then deposited into the blood stream and then stored as fat. These are the most common fats stored in the body. All sugars cause unsafe insulin spikes. All the talk about low glycemic  level foods (all the rage lately, at least it is a good thing this time), sugar in any processed form is not good.

And the sugar substitute Aspartame, the all evil in my mind. This is death to the body. Besides addiction, aspartame has been linked to 91 other physical side effects in the human body. Among the most serious are birth defects, brain tumors, diabetes, kidney problems, seizures, epilepsy. Then there is the more subtle but deadly of side effects.  The slow suffocation of the cells in the body. Starving cells die.  Every cell is starved of vitamins and minerals needed to reproduce and function. So you are literally killing yourself.

 What about caffeine? Well, in moderation, caffeine can help the brain and body function in a normal fashion. But most people don’t follow much in moderation. Too much caffeine can cause sleeplessness, feelings of jitteriness, vitamin and  mineral depletion in the blood stream and unsafe levels of cholesterol.

Most sodas also have artificial colors in the ingredient list. Artificial colors are mostly created from petroleum. Our bodies are not keen to unnatural anything. But as color goes, it doesn’t know what the hell to do with it. So the bodies cleansing organs break down while storing these substances. The pretty colors that make candy, food and drink appetizing (not ) are linked to brain and other tumors, disruption of thyroid and adrenal  glands,  kidney failure ect……

So if you choose to drink soda, at least try to counteract the effects by drinking water (2 ounces of water for every ounce of soda) along with a shitload of antioxidants. Is it really worth it? Start a revolution of health by cutting out the one thing you think you can’t live without but your body is begging you to give up. Most people that cut soda drinks out of their diet start feeling better within a week. They lose weight, stop having headaches, sleep better, move without aches and pains, see more clearly, think more clearly, regulate glucose and insulin better, stop retaining water and bloating, the list goes on and on. Really it does. Just stop drinking the stuff. Really.

It’s odd that we think the way we do. Somehow we allow ourselves to think that just because we gave into a craving during the day that our diet is ruined for the whole day. It permits us to continue uncontrolled eating all day. This line of thinking is the kill all for anyone who desires weight loss. It is the one strongest, self defeating reason most people don’t succeed at the beginning of a “diet”. I use quotes around the word diet because that is the word that most people use for losing weight. In reality, you need to remember you are always eating your diet. When you continually eat according to cravings, you have a poor diet, when you eat out of necessity to sustain life, you have a good diet. These tips are just a short list of reminders.

Tip 1:  Don’t give up! Remember that the next time food goes in your mouth, it is your opportunity to eat in moderation and succeed at a healthy meal. Make your next meal a controlled one. Don’t wait and try again tomorrow. ,

Tip 2: Give into cravings, just not the food. Try making a list of enjoyable activities such as a massage or pedicure, a walk with the kids or your dog. Getting in the hot tub, curling up with a favorite book, listen to your favorite music, go for a walk at dusk with a quart of water and don’t come home until it is gone.  Maybe even that elusive nap you seem to never get to take.

We are hard wired to enjoy food. It is necessary to survive. But this enjoyment is out of control in today’s environment. Eating out at restaurants, making a meal that will feed ten for a family of 5, these are much to common of a practice in today’s world.  So to reduce binge eating and food cravings, give into life’s other desires and leave the food alone.

Tip 3: That only step that is truly difficult is the first one. Once you have committed yourself to feeling better and living healthily, take the first step. Literally. Move your body. Increasing circulation will help with absorbs ion of nutrients to the body and the brain. It truly feels good. The better you feel in your daily life, the easier it is to make other small changes that will continue the snowball effect of feeling better. Find a stress reducing strategy and stick to it for a week. Commit to it. As you reduce the stress and increase circulation, you feel better and control cravings, urges, stress and you become a machine that wants to feel even better. Let your body tell you how much it likes it. Don’t let your brain tell you how hard it is or that you can’t succeed.

Until next time…   

My June wellness class is for parents and kids that want ideas and information on how to achieve goals of healthy living. This is a great time to put ideas in front of the kids for the summer. We will be making some great snacks the kids can make themselves, along with learning some outdoor activities that everyone in the house can participate in. Please join us!

See you Wednesday the 1st!

 Call or visit our facebook page for more information.